'Invigorated' Mugabe attacks foreigners on birthday

Zimbabwe's president has declared himself invigorated by a massive show of support in honour of his birthday.

More than 20,000 people packed into a stadium in the eastern city of Mutare to mark Robert Mugabe's 88th birthday.

While his birthday gatherings have grown in recent years, this was the largest yet.

The stadium in Mutare was packed to overflowing.

The celebrations organised by Mr Mugabe's youth wing began with a fashion show and the launch of a signature brand of clothing named after the president.

In a rambling speech in which he railed against homosexuality and colonial rule, he declared himself invigorated and energised, and ready to contest an election he is pushing to be held this year.

Mr Mugabe also attacked foreigners in his address, and accused foreign NGOs of trying to destabilise the country.

"NGOs come with these stupid ideas, some to destabilise us. Quite often they support one party. We say to them get away from our country. Leave us to solve our political problems. Leave us to manage our own systems," he said.

He rejected calls from British prime minister David Cameron to respect gay rights, saying "to hell with you".

"Nature is nature. It has created male and female. That's how we were born," he said.

"Please, young men and women, you don't have the freedom for men to marry men and women to marry women. You have the freedom for men to marry women. That's God's freedom. That's what created you and me."

He did however urge Zimbabweans not to resort to violence as debate over a new constitution unfolds.

"We used to fight each other. Time has come for us to do our politics in a much more cultured way. Although our differences are ideological and sometimes quite negative, we should not regard them as a source of hatred," he said.

"Those who are opposed to us are also part of our society. We should recognise their rights. So, no to violence. No, no, no violence."

Zimbabwe has been governed under a power sharing government for the past three years after violence derailed the past election.

Mr Mugabe, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has led Zimbabwe for more than 30 years.